Volunteer and Donation Opportunities
"The Arc of Weld County is a grassroots, non-profit organization committed to creating opportunities for children and adults with developmental disabilities."
Through advocacy and support service activities, the Arc of Weld County works to safeguard the rights of children and adults with developmental disabilities, facilitate choices and promote independence and inclusion into community life.
GOALS
Our goals are to ensure the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, to include them as contributing members of the team that develop plans for their lives, and to enhance the overall quality of their lives.
SERVICES
The Arc assists individuals and their families through advocacy and support, as they attempt to navigate the vast and complex systems of government and education, in their attempt to achieve fulfilling and productive lives in their community. The focus of the Arc's services are as follows:
 |
Assisting parents in securing early intervention and appropriate educational services for their child/children with developmental disabilities. |
|
Advocacy for children, adults and families. This includes direct advocacy, community advocacy and public policy advocacy. |
|
Conducting workshops and training for individuals and parents which will help them acquire the knowledge and skills needed to make quality life choices. |
|
Convening and educating the community about the abilities and contributions made by individuals with disabilities |
Our target population evolves around individuals who have a cognitive disability. A developmental or cognitive disability is a disability manifested before the age of 22, which constitutes a substantial handicap to the individual. It is a cognitive impairment which effects general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior. A child with a developmental delay is a person of less than five years of age with delayed development or who is at risk of having a developmental disability. In 2005 we provided direct services for 42 adults and 44 children. Approximately 200-250 people were served in other indirect capacities, such as workshops, seminars, and People First activities.
The Arc of Weld County, started by parents of children with developmental disabilities, existed under various formats for 30 years, and then became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1993. As an affiliate of the National and State ARC organizations, we follow their goals of providing advocacy, public awareness, training, and resource and referrals. Our local membership id composed of a nine person Board of Directors, 70 members, many of whom have a family member with a disability, and many active volunteers. All of these people contribute to the organization with donations of time, money, energy, and or skills. Some assist with workshops, fundraisers, clerical work, representation on community committee, provide transportation and interpretation, and supply feedback to the Board and Staff. We have three part-time employees. The ARC thrift store is a different entity/organization. We do receive a small, monthly stipend for our advocacy program.
CURRENT PROGRAMS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
|
Community Advocacy: The Arc staff participate in a variety of community coalitions and organizations. |
|
Individual Advocacy Services |
|
People First of Weld County |
|
Consumer Advisory Committee |
|
Project Illumination |
|
Workshop Series |
|
Information and referral service |
|
Family Outreach |
|
Speakers Bureau |
|
Resource Library |
|
Legislative and system changes |
|
Mobilizing Families |
|
Project Ability Art Program |
|
"Healthy Relationships" Socialization Training Program for Self-Advocates |